When a nasty storm passes by your area and leaves your roof damaged, knowing what to do is the first step to restoring things to normal as quickly as possible. Storm damage can compromise the integrity of your home and lead to leaks that can cause significant problems for you and your roof in the future. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to follow after your roof sustains storm damage.
Call Your Insurance Provider to Start the Claim Process
Calling your insurance company to report damage and start the claims process is one of the most crucial steps to take when dealing with storm damage to your roof. Storm damage roof repairs are often expensive; your homeowners’ insurance policy can help cover those costs.
Your agent can go over the specifics of your policy and help you know your deductible. They will also discuss what is and isn’t covered in your policy. Take pictures before you make any temporary repairs, and don’t throw away anything before the claims adjuster comes to inspect your roof.
Call a Roofer to Assess the Damage
The next person to call is a professional roofer. While you can assess the damage on your roof from the ground, roofing experts look beyond surface damage. They have the tools and expertise to dive deeper and determine the extent of the storm damage.
After the inspection, they’ll provide a written report with photos and a more accurate estimate on the cost of repairs or replacement if needed.
Apply Temporary Fixes
Your roof isn’t going to heal itself! You can’t sit around waiting for insurance money so you can have it fixed. A damaged roof exposes your possessions and other structural components of your home to water damage.
Call your roofer ASAP to place a tarp over your roof if the damage is too extensive to repair right then. This will prevent additional damage and health risks for your family. Also, keep receipts for all work done because your policy may cover these expenses.
Avoid Storm Chasers
Severe storms can be magnets for storm chasers. These are unscrupulous roofing contractors with no permanent work crews and no local address. They only follow storms to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners who need to repair or replace their storm-damage roofs.
Storm chasers provide substandard workmanship, leaving you with a roof which will fail sooner than needed. Rely instead on a trusted local roofing contractor.S&S Roofing is your reliable Arlington roofing contractor ready to provide quality storm damage roof repair services. Contact us today for a free inspection and estimate.
